Barbarian Invasions
Synopsis
Rémy, self-styled hedonist and "sensual socialist" is dying. Alienated son Sébastian, international banker and "arch-capitalist," reluctantly visits. Moved by his father's situation, Sébastian ruthlessly strives to achieve the impossible - to make his father's death a happy one.
Told with such delicate wit and delight, this film is a treasure. The film's targets are numerous - hospital bureaucracy, the crumbling Welfare State, union corruption, the Roman Catholic Church and the dumbing-down of Western society.
Yes, there is sadness, addiction and death, but mainly this is a film about warmth and laughter and the sheer perversity of humanity.
Best Foreign Language Film, 2004 Oscars
Told with such delicate wit and delight, this film is a treasure. The film's targets are numerous - hospital bureaucracy, the crumbling Welfare State, union corruption, the Roman Catholic Church and the dumbing-down of Western society.
Yes, there is sadness, addiction and death, but mainly this is a film about warmth and laughter and the sheer perversity of humanity.
Best Foreign Language Film, 2004 Oscars
Critics
“An intelligent interest in ideas that is rare in cinema.”